Grindstone Running Festival by Utmb

Verona, United States • 17 Sep 2026

Grindstone Running Festival by UTMB

The Grindstone Running Festival by UTMB is a trail running event held 17 to 20 September 2026 at Natural Chimneys Park, Virginia. The course runs through acres of national forest just west of the Shenandoah Valley and includes miles inside the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.

Runners encounter Appalachian ridges, peaks, and valleys on largely technical terrain with significant elevation gain. The event is set during peak fall foliage and offers repeated ridge and mountain views along the trails.

The festival offers four distance options:

  • 100M: 167.4 km; 6400 m+ elevation; 4 Running Stones
  • 100K: 100 km; 3350 m+ elevation; 3 Running Stones
  • 50K: 50 km; 1550 m+ elevation; 2 Running Stones
  • 21K: 21 km; 500 m+ elevation; 1 Running Stone

Grindstone is a dual qualifier for the UTMB World Series Finals and the Western States Endurance Run. UTMB Community Bibs are available; half of those registration proceeds support a local charity chosen by the race team and the program is part of IRONMAN Foundation charitable giveback efforts. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Race information

167 km
100m
100 km
100k
50 km
50k
Half Marathon
21k
Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Trail runs nearby

A lakeside trail race at Boar's Head Resort in Charlottesville on July 11, 2026, featuring a 5.2 mile loop with about 745 feet of elevation change. The race is open to runners and walkers and is part of the Summer Trail Running Series.

A summer trail event in Crozet, VA listed as a 30 Miler with about 29.0 miles and 7,610 feet of climbing. The steep gravel out-and-back laps include limited aid, shuttle parking, and rugged summer conditions.

A memorial trail run in the Jefferson National Forest featuring a roughly 60 km course and a 50 km Party Route option, three aid stations, limited entry, and a largely unmarked route supported by a GPX file and turnsheet.

A new course at Albemarle CiderWorks on August 30, 2026 features in-person 5 km and 10 km races plus virtual entries; the route uses cross-country terrain and cider is available at the venue after the event.

Add Event
Help us complete the calendar!
  • Distance is at least 5 km
  • Event has a website or Facebook page
Website
Optional: Please provide your e-mail address if we may contact you.
Report a change
We will only update the data if the information is also on the website.